Fisher44 wrote:Sorry to throw in a spanner - but for a rider who is keen but not nearly as keen as you guys - but just wants a good comfortable ride - how about the Jamis Quest - won the 2013 best enthusiast bike last year -I know it's steel but, I like steel and to save a $1000 ...... Well,What do you think

The other thing to note about cells geo charts is the lapa and the akuna are very similar size wise but the omeo has a smaller headtube and longer top tube making their medium bike actually bigger. So what I'm saying is that you may fit a Medium in the omeo but be a medium/large in the lapa/akuna. But you would have to actually sit on them all to have a real idea.

hi;I love riding a good quality steel frame bike - and I am older rider 59. BUT - two weeks ago I just took delivery of the 2015 Specialized Roubiax SL4 elite with the SRAM and hydraulic brakes.In that time I have clocked up 200km. Yes in my opinion it is a comfortable ride compared to other carbon fibre bikes. This bike is built for the distance.Not so sure about the speed. It has a longer wheel base and chain stay. So the rpm is slower - and so not that quick off the mark.There are other faster bikes.I also own a Masi CX cycle cross steel frame which I rebuilt with SRAM and Fulcrum CX wheel set.I once hired for a whole day a bianchi good quality high end carbon just to see the difference between carbon and steel. I road it to work and back - 57km.And I found it hard and not enjoyable ride. So I stayed with the steel until I was introduced to the Roubiax SL4.If I compare a good quality steel frame like my Masi and the Roubiax there are similarities and differences between the two in their response to the road.They are both better on the comfort. There is no continual shock to your tail end.My Masi Steel has that 'spring' while the Roubiax SL4 has that typical carbon stiffness and direct firm response in the pedalling but with the inserts it dampens that continual vibration.I am keeping both. My Masi will be great for a loaded tour. And my Roubiax SL4 will be great for the one day one hundred km rides.

Umm well I have a 2012 Roubaix Sl3 pro frame on one bike and a 2014 Sl4 sport frame on my other. Both are comfortable but I just prefer the feeling of the older Sl3 frame. Maybe there's something in the spec of the carbon, but the Pro frame just feels more sporty and efficient. Yes I have the sport frame set up a bit taller in the front, for the commute, but it still feels lower tech than the Pro frame.

But upgraditis has set in again and an Sworks frame is on the cards and the sport frame will get shown the door.

I had a Specialized Roubaix SL4 Elite - I clocked 2500km on it but I have done an upgrade. Enjoyed riding 100km plus and getting off and still able to walk. Im not a young gun either.Yes it is comfortable and you can fit up to a 30c tyre.But keep it mind that there is a trade off with the performance.The famous zert inserts help on the dampening of vibration for a carbon stiff frame.The big factor is the geometry to consider which impacts on how fast you can go or perform.In particular the length of the rake is longer than most road bikes, the wheel base and the head tube are all longer than most road bikes.Hence making it a more comfort bike and an upright position.I would recommend a light weight good quality steel bike with a good geometry with a rake of 45.Steel that will fit a wider tyre fit 30c will give you the comfort and a with good geometry a good performance.

Said this on 4/12/14 but perhaps I should back it up considering the thread has returned from the dead

My SL4 Roubaix di2 Expert has done just under 20k in 3.5 years. It has taken me all around the rough roads of the Sunny Coast and its hinterlands and down from 117kg to 95kg...and, despite this punishment, it is still a lovely bike to ride. And I could happily ride it all day.

I recently purchased an SWorks Tarmac Disc which is awesome but when the wifee said "So are you going to sell the old one?" I answered with "I just don't think I can". I have since logged about 1300klm on the Tarmac and about 600k on the Roubaix. It is just so comfortable. Kind of the the bike equivalence of a 1st love...I just cannot let it go.

As for pace, yes it is a little slower than the Tarmac but it isn't that much and interestingly there are some climbing segments I have not yet matched let alone beat on the new toy...(I know my body is still adjusting to the lower front end of the Tarmac).

I also have a Roubaix and a Tarmac and love both of them. I do wish though that Specialized would do a Roubaix with the lower head tube like the Tarmac. I want the comfort of the Roubaix with the sportiness of the Tarmac.

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.